It may come as no surprise to anyone in our readership, but we love football season.

There are many things that draw our communities together, but none quite as much as local football.

There are a diversity of opinions on a number of issues in Pope, Johnson and Yell counties, which we try to highlight as much as possible on this page. But there's nothing quite like seeing everyone come together for a common goal - to root on our local teams - on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights.

It all begins today. If you want to stay close to home - not to mention show your gratitude to nearly 150 young men who endured one of the hottest preseason camps in recent memory - the Arkansas Tech Wonder Boys haven't lost at Thone Stadium at Buerkle Field since Oct. 25, 2008, and want to keep that streak alive when they host Lambuth University at 7 p.m. One hour earlier, the Clarksville Panthers will battle the Charleston Tigers at 6 today at the University of Arkansas-Fayetteville, part of the Simmons First/Hootens.com Kickoff Week.

This year's "turf wars" begin in earnest at 7 p.m. Friday. Russellville will host Morrilton, Danville will host Dardanelle, Pottsville will host Atkins, Two Rivers will host Dover, Hector will host Johnson County Westside, Lamar will host Subiaco, and Western Yell County will host Cutter Morning Star.

The Razorbacks, finally, open the 2010 season against Tennessee Tech. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. at Reynolds Razorback Stadium on the UA campus.

We encourage everyone to get out this weekend to cheer for our local athletes as they kick off their seasons. Nothing gets players more pumped than to see a stadium full of fans cheering at the top of their lungs.

Best of luck to our local teams. We are eagerly anticipating a great season.